. >>> you've heard about the clock ticking on america's fiscal cliff, but what really happens on january 1st to you? this is a 9 news fiscal cliff note. fact, if congress and the white house don't reach an agreement, your paycheck is going to go down. the reason? because the tax withholding in your paycheck is going to increase. here's the back story. the current payroll tax cut is set to expire december 31st. in dollars and cents this means that your payroll tax withholding is going from 4.2% to 6.2%. now why is this happening? many of the policies expiring at the end of the year like the payroll tax cuts and emergency unemployment benefits were originally passed on a temporary basis. the thinking was that the economy would be in much better shape by now and the policies could expire without causing a recession. >> you can learn more any time at www.wusa9.com and on 9 news. this has been a 9 news fiscal cliff note. >>> i'm colonel will bourn stationed in kabul afghanistan. i'd like to send out a many are rei christmas to my wife and family and -- merry christmas to my wife and family in